Security device for filing cabinets



June 15, 1965 H. E. MEHLIG, JR., ETAL 3,139,393

SECURITY DEVICE FOR FILING CABINETS Filed Jan. 15, 1964 N INVENTORS: HERMAN EMU- us cgRL TORP AT TOR N EY United States Patent 3,189,392 SECURITY DEVICE FOR FILING CABINETS Herman E. Mehlig, .ln, Hibernia, and Earl Torp, Brookside, N..l., assignors to Allied Chemical (Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Ian. 15, 1964, Ser. No. 337,769 4 Claims. (Cl. 3122l6) This invention relates to filing cabinets and more particularly, to an improved security device for filing cabinets.

It is known to secure filing cabinets by a rod or bar which extends the entire length of the filing cabinet and which passes through rings or tabs protruding at various intervals from the filing cabinet itself. In general, the rod or bar is secured at the top by a padlock. In these prior art security devices, it is necessary to remove the rod or bar in order to gain access to the drawers of the cabinet since the rod or bar does not form an integral part of the filing cabinet. This is objectionable because they may be easily misplaced and furthermore, since the rod or bar is often cumbersome and heavy, their removal and storage creates safety problems. A rod or bar for securing cabinets which is permanently attached to the filing cabinet is also known, however, they are difficult to operate and are complicated in structure. Moreover, with these prior art devices, it is possible to partially open a drawer of a filing cabinet by bending the rod or bar at the point where access to the drawer is desired.

An object of the present invention is to provide a security device for filing cabinets which requires no appreciable effort to operate and which may be easily and quickly installed. Another object of the present invention is to secure all the drawers of la filing cabinet in an easy and effective manner.

A further object is to provide a security device for filing cabinets which device is effective for preventing a partial opening of the drawers of a filing cabinet. Other objects and advantages will be more apparent from a consideration of one embodiment of the invention.

The invention, in a preferred form is illustrated in the drawings hereafter more fully described.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front view of a typical filing cabinet showing the improved security locking device applied thereto and showing the locking bar in an open position and turned out of the way of the filing cabinet thus allowing the drawers to be opened. FIGURE 2 is a view similar to that of FIGURE 1, but showing the improved novel security locking device applied thereto in the closed position. FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the front corner section of the filing cabinet showing the locking bar in the open position. FIGURE 4 is a view similar to that of FIGURE 3, but showing the locking bar in a closed position with a padlock securing the locking bar to the filing cabinet. FIGURE 5 is a view taken along the lines 5-5 of FIGURE 2. FIGURE 6 is a view taken along lines 66 of FIGURE 2. FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken on the plane of the line 77 of FIGURE 1, looking downwardly. FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken on the plane of the line 8-3 of FIGURE 2 looking downwardly.

As is shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the reference numeral It) indicates generally a representative filing cabinet which may be of any particular size, shape, and

3,183,392 Patented June 15, I965 height and which contains one or more drawers 11 as shown. It is understood that the cabinet may be fabricated of material such as wood, metal, or other material, and its interior construction can be one of the new styles or types now on the market. The drawers are equipped with handles or the like 12 for ready operation and identification tags 13 may be employed as is usual in apparatus of this type. The framework of the filing cabinet lit is represented by the reference numeral 14 and has drawer frame members 15 between the bottoms of each drawer and the top of subjacent drawers.

Referring particularly to FIGURE 2, a locking bar 16 is shown as extending across the drawers 11 in a vertical direction and adjacent the left edge thereof. The locking bar is movably attached to the framework It and is arranged to rotate about a vertical axis so as to assume the open position of FIGURE 1. For this purpose, a plurality of piano hinges 17 is employed with three such hinges being shown longitudinally spaced along the bar 16. As shown most clearly in FIGURE 3,

each piano hinge is formed by two hinge leaves 18 and I9. Hinge leaf It is permanently welded to the left front side of the framework of the cabinet It and the other hinge leaf 1? is butt welded to the locking bar 16. Hinge leaves 18 and 19 are secured to the cabinet Iii and the locking bar 16 respectively in such a manner, that when the locking bar 16 is swung against the drawer fronts and parallel to their surface, there is created a space between the locking bar 16 and the cabinet front such that a latch bar 2t substantially of the same length as locking bar 16 can lie under the left side of locking bar 16, in sliding relation therewith when the locking bar is in position against the file drawers as shown in FIGURES 2, 5, and 6. The latch bar 2% slidably engages locking bar It; by means of studs 21 which pass through elongated slots 22 as shown in FIGURES 2 and 5. These slots run parallel to the edge of the cabinet lit and are disposed in the bar 16 so that the lower end of each slot is essentially even with the bottom of each drawer 11. The studs 21, corresponding to each drawer of the filing cabinet are welded at one end, to the side of latch bar which faces away from the drawer fronts. On each stud there is permanently attached a tight fitting washer 23 which maintains the latch bar .20 against the inner surface of the locking bar to, the washer being permanently secured to the locking bar and resting against its outer surface. Thus, the studs 21 which pass through elongated slots 22 permanently slidably secure the latch bar 2t? to the locking bar to by means of Washer 23, while permitting the latch bar to rise and fall within the limitation created by the length of the elongated slots. As can be seen from FIGURES 2, 6 and 8, each stud has a horizontal portion outwardly extending away from the latch bar, a transverse portion running at right angles to the latch bar and a downward portion parallel to the latch bar. To the upper stud 21 is Welded a suitable handle 24 which is adapted to raise the latch bar the distance of the elongated slot 22 from the outside when the locking bar 16 is swung against the drawer fronts.

Referring again to FIGURE 1, a plurality of eyes 25 are longitudinally spaced along bar 16, one corresponding to each drawer ll of the filing cabinet. These eyes 25 are positioned in such a manner that they center the width of the frame member of the cabinet front between each d-rawer except at the bottom of the filing cabinet where it is located generally below the last drawer. When the bar 16 is against the drawer front as shown in FIGURE 2, eyes 25 expose a small area of the frame member 15 beneath each drawer. At each of these points, a tab 26 is welded to the frame member 15, so that the tab extends horizontally from the cabinet. The end of these tabs are rounded, shaped, and positioned in such a manner that when the locking bar is swung against the face of the I cabinet 10, each tab 26 slips through its respective eye 25,

a portion of the tab extending out beyond the locking bar 15. As can be seen from FIGURES 2 and 7, the tab 26 has a hole 27 drilled at its outer end and is adapted to receive the downwardly extending portion of stud 21.

, Thus, when the latch bar 20 is at its lowest point as limited by the studs 21 at the bottom of their respective elongated slots, the downward portion of each stud 21 extends well through each tab 25, thus securely holding the locking bar 16 and latch bar 26 firmly against the drawer fronts.

When the cabinet is in the locking position of FIGURE 2, the tops of both the bar 16 and latch bar 26 extend a small distance above the top of the cabinet as shown. in FIGURES l, 2 and 4. At the top of the cabinet is welded a projection 2'7 through which a hole 28 is drilled. When the cabinet is in the locked position of FEGURE 2, the bar 16, the latch bar 28 and the projection 27 are in alignment with each other. Holes 29 and drilled in the locking bar 16 and in the latch bar 2@ respectively are aiigned with the hole in the projecting portion 27 and permit the hasp of a padlock 3!. to be passed through all three holes as shown in FIGURE 4. When the pada lock is locked, the cabinet is secured, the latch bar cannot be lifted nor can the locking bar be removed from the tabs below the drawer. Advantageously, even if the hinges are destroyed, the arrangement precludes access to the files. The studs, when in position, also provide additional strength in that the drawers cannot even be partially opened without destroying the whole securing device. Once the padlock is removed, the latch bar 29 can be raised to the extent of the elongated slots in the latch bar. This is sufiicient to lift all the studs from their respective tabs 26. The latch bar and the locking bar can then be swung to the side and drawers opened, without 7 hindrance as shown in FIGURE 1.

Although certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed for purpose of illustration, it will be evident that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

VJe claim:

ll. In a file cabinet having a back wall, and top, bottom, and side walls terminating on the forward edge of each in a rigid framework bounding the front edges of said top, bottom, and side walls, a plurality of superposed outward- 1y movable drawers having outer vertical faces arranged, when in closed position, to lie in substantially the same plane as the front face of said framework, means for locking said drawers in closed position comprising a rigid drawer frame member rigidly associated with said frame work and interposed between the bottom of each drawer and the top of the subjacent drawer, tabs mounted on said framework between said drawers, :1 locking bar movably attached to the framework of a side wall and adapted on closure of said drawers to be moved into locking position against the vertical length of the face of each drawer, a

latch bar movably carried by said locking bar and carrying studs adapted to lockingly engage said tabs and means for'locking the locking bar and latch bar to the top and bottom of said framework.

, 2. In a file cabinet having a back wall, and top, bottom, and side walls terminating on the forward edge of each in a'rigid framework bounding thefront edges of said top,

bottom, and side walls, a plurality of superposed out- 'wardly movable drawers having outer vertical faces arranged, when in closed position, to lie in substantially the same plane as the front face of said framework, a rigid frame member rigidly associated with said framework and interposed between the bottom of each drawer and the top of the subjacent drawer, tabs having a hole therein disposed longitudinaly on said frame member between said drawers and on the bottom of said framework, a locking bar movably attached to the framework of a side wall and adapted to swing outwardly away from said framework and inwardly toward said framework into locked position against the vertical length of the face of each drawer, a latch bar movably carried by said locking bar and carrying studs adapted to engage the holes in said tabs and means for locking the locking bar and latch bar to the top and bottom of said framework.

3. In a file cabinet having a back wall, and top, bottom, and side walls terminating on the forward edge of each in a rigid framework bounding the front edges of said top, bottom, and side walls, a plurality of superposed outwardly movable drawers having outer vertical faces arranged, when in closed position, to lie in substantially the same plane as the front face of said framework, a rigid drawer frame member rigidly associated with said framework and interposed between the bottom of each drawer and the top of the subjacent drawer, a tab having a hole therein disposed longitudinally on each frame member and on the bottom of said framework, a locking bar movably attached to the framework of a side wall and adapted to swing outwardly away from said framework and inwardly toward said framework and into locking position against the vertical length of the face of each drawer said bar having a plurality of longitudinally spaced elongated slots, the lower portion of each slot being in line with the lower edge of each drawer, and a plurality of horizontal eyes disposed adjacent and below each elongated slot and adapted on closure of said locking bar to receive said tabs and means for locking the locking bar to the top and bottom of said framework and to each of said drawer frame members including a latch bar movably carried by said locking bar and carrying studs which pass through the holes in said tabs when the locking bar is against said drawers and in closed relation therewith, said latch bar traversing a vertical path as defined by the length of said elongated slots.

4. In a file cabinet having a back wall, and top, bottom, and side walls terminating on the forward edge of each in a rigid framework bounding the front edges of'said top, bottom, and side walls, a plurality of superposed outwardly movable drawers having outer vertical faces arranged, when in closed position, to lie in substantially the same plane as the front face of said framework, a rigid drawer frame member rigidly associated with said framework and interposed between the bottom of each drawer and the top of the subjacent drawer, a tab having a hole therein disposed longitudinally on each frame member and on the bottom of said framework, a locking bar movable attached to the framework of a side wall and adapted to swing outwardly away from said framework and inwardly toward said framework and into locking position against the vertical length of the face of each drawer, said bar having a plurality of longitudinally spaced elongated slots, the lower portion of each slot being in line with the lower edge of each drawer, and a plurality of horizontal eyes disposed adjacent and below each elongated slot and adapted on closure of said locking bar to receive said tabs, a latch bar disposed parallel to and slidably attached to said locking bar having a plurality of studs secured thereto, said studs having a horizontal portion outwardly extending away from said latch bar, a traverse portion running at right angles to said latch bar and a downward portion parallel to said latch bar, the horizontal portion of each stud passing through the elongated slot in said locking bar, a washer secured to said horizontal portion and adapted to maintain the locking bar and latch bar in fixed relation said studs being adapted to pass through said holes in said tabs when the locking bar is against having holes therein in alignment with the hole in said projection to permit the hasp of a padlock to pass therethrough when the locking bar is against said drawers and in closed relation therewith.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,006,605 10/11 Tilton 3'12--107.5 1,738,004 12/29 Holden 312-216 2,913,296 11/59 Martin 312--216 3,002,800 10/61 McMahan 312216 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner. CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS, Examiner. 

1. IN A FILE CABINET HAVING A BACK WALL, AND TOP, BOTTOM, AND SIDE WALLS TERMINATING ON THE FORWARD EDGE OF EACH IN A RIGID FRAMEWORK BOUNDING THE FRONT EDGES OF SAID TOP, BOTTOM AND SIDE WALLS, A PLURALITY OF SUPERPOSED OUTWARDLY MOVABLE DRAWERS HAVING OUTER VERTICAL FACES ARRANGED, WHEN IN CLOSED POSITION, TO LIE IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME PLANE AS THE FRONT FACE OF SAID FRAMEWORK, MEANS FOR LOCKING SAID DRAWERS IN CLOSED POSITION COMPRISING A RIGID DRAWER FRAME MEMBER RIGIDLY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID FRAME WORK AND INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE BOTTOM OF EACH DRAWER AND THE TOP OF THE SUBJACENT DRAWER, TABS MOUNTED ON SAID FRAMEWORK BETWEEN SAID DRAWERS, A LOCKING BAR MOVABLY ATTACHED TO THE FRAMEWORK OF A SIDE WALL AND ADAPTED ON CLOSURE OF SAID DRAWERS TO BE MOVED INTO LOCKING POSITION AGAINST THE VERTICAL LENGTH OF THE FACE OF EACH DRAWER, A LATCH BAR MOVABLY CARRIED BY SAID LOCKING BAR AND CARRYING STUDS ADAPTED TO LOCKINGLY ENGAGE SAID TABS AND MEANS FOR LOCKING THE LOCKING BAR AND LATCH BAR TO THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF SAID FRAMEWORK. 